Issuu

February 17, 2025

Protestors Demand Gaza Action on O'Neill Plaza By Nikita Osadchiy Asst. News Editor

Boston College students and faculty gathered on O’Neill Plaza Thu r s d ay e v e n i n g to p ro te s t the University’s suppression of activ ism, demand investment transparency, and condemn the violence experienced by Palestinians in Gaza. “We demand that Boston College

deliver on its Jesuit values, and on its promises of commitment to service, the transmission of knowledge, and fostering of understanding,” said a speaker, who did not identify themselves. “In search of truth, we demand Boston College deliver on its promises to students’ free speech, open dialogue, and justice. As students of a Jesuit university, we demand Boston College to live in service of others—for all people,

and for Palestine.” As the sun set on O’Neill Plaza, protesters and observers stood in the snow while chants of “Free Palestine” and “Whose campus? Our campus!” echoed. Five organizers spoke at the event, reading from a "demonstration of demands" and urging the University to take action.

See Protest, A2

SHANE SHEBEST / HEIGHTS STAFF

Free T-Rides for Student Clinicals By Reetu Agnihotri Asst. News Editor

CONNOR O'BRIEN / HEIGHTS EDITOR

“So, What Are We?”

Welcome to the world of situationships. This brand of casual, if not messy, relationship has taken the dating scene by storm —and neither students nor faculty are thrilled about it. See A5

Starting this semester, UGBC and the Division of Student Affairs are providing free CharlieCards for Lynch School of Education and Human Development (LSEHD) and Connell School of Nursing (CSON) students with high financial need to cover transportation to practicum and clinical experiences. Cami Kulbieda, UGBC academic affairs committee chair and LSEHD ’26, began working on the initiative after learning that she and her peers would have to pay out of pocket for their required LSEHD practicum experiences. “I saw an injustice happening on campus,” Kulbieda said. “And I want what is required of students here to be easily accessible and something that everyone can participate in without having to stress about that financially.” All elementar y e ducation, secondary education, and applied psychology and human development majors in LSEHD must

complete practicum experiences or student teaching to graduate, according to the LSEHD website. Similarly, starting in their sophomore ye ar, student s in CSON must complete clinical experiences as a graduation requirement. According to Du Pont, the Division of Student Affairs is funding the program and providing CharlieCards to students in the pilot. The program is specifically targeted toward those with high financial need, Du Pont added. “Eligible students receive an invitation to participate in the program, along with a link to a Google Form where they can request their CharlieCard,” Du Pont wrote. “The form includes basic information to confirm their placement details and transportation needs.” Practicums and clinical experiences take place in schools and hospitals across Boston, requiring students to arrange transportation to and from these locations.

See CharlieCards, A3

Research Funding Faces Uncertainty Recent Trump administration policies put BC's federally funded research in peril.

By Carina Murphy Assoc. News Editor

After the National Science Foundation (NSF) paused the approval and distribution of grants earlier this year, Boston College researchers voiced concerns about the potential long-term effects of disruptions in federal funding. The NSF, which funds a range of scientific research across the U.S., halted its grant-reviewing process in late January to ensure compliance with an executive order from President Donald Trump. The agenc y announced it would begin reviewing all funding activities, disrupting review panels and grant allocations.

Although the processes resumed earlier this month, the incident cast doubt on the future stability of research funding, according to Babak Momeni, an associate professor of biology and an NSF-funded researcher. “I think the general reaction is some level of disappointment in itself,” Momeni said. “Their main job is to support basic science and train future scientists and engineers, and not having that support, I think for us, it has been a little bit disheartening.” While his lab has not yet been affected by the NSF freeze, Momeni said the uncertainty has been unsettling for both researchers and students.

See Funding Freeze, A2

Islamic Art Takes to McMullen MARY KOZENY / HEIGHTS STAFF

Mary Kozeny Heights Staff

The McMullen Museum of Art has unveiled an extraordinary exhibition—Wonders of Creation: Art, Science, and Innovation in the Islamic World—which bridges centuries of Islamic intellectual achievement through the lens of “wonder,” a concept deeply rooted in the work

of 13th-century scholar Zakariyya al-Qazwini. Born in Qazvin, Iran, al-Qazwini survived tumultuous times, eventually finding solace in scholarly pursuits that would produce his masterwork, The Wonders of Creation and Rarities of Existence. The exhibition frames wonder as al-Qazwini defined it: “a state of perplexity that comes over a human

Opinions

Despite the snow, spring break is right around the corner! Associate Video Editor Kaylee Dunleavy walks you through the best and cheapest travel options.

See McMullen, A9

Magazine

Whatever happened to going on a good, old-fashioned date? Columnist Pat Connell makes his case for having the courage to date in the casual era.

INDEX

being when he fails to understand the reason for a thing or how it affects him.” This philosophical approach shapes the entire exhibition, which presents over 170 objects that showcase the intersection of Islamic art, science, and innovation across 12 centuries.

No. 1 Lacrosse Beats No. 2 Northwestern See A12

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

NEWS........... A2 OPINIONS.. A8 NEWTON....... A4 A R T S . . . . . . . . A9 MAGAZINE.. A5 S P O R TS . . . . . A11